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Local first responders plan for imminent hurricane

Bluefield Daily Telegraph (WV)

Sept. 13--BLUEFIELD -- In a briefing Wednesday afternoon, about 50 first responders, charity organizations, representatives of local hospitals, schools and other institutions met to discuss and prepare for the effects Hurricane Florence could have on Mercer County.

Originally thought to make landfall in Va. and N.C., Hurricane Florence, a dangerous category 3 hurricane, is now expected to largely affect N.C., S.C., Ga. and Tenn.

After the group listened to a conference call briefing from the National Weather Service, Mercer County Emergency Director, Tim Farley said, "They are still uncertain of where this thing is going to go once it hits land. They do not know how it is going to react there are just too many variables," he said. "I was hoping they would know more today, Wednesday being the day they would have a certain idea of where it is going to go but that all changed overnight."

According to the National Weather Service, Hurricane Florence is expected to make landfall by Saturday morning in "the Carolinas." The representative said that if the remnants of the storm do come to W.Va., wind is the only threat in high terrain and potential flooding should be expected not before Sunday.

Those assembled continued to discuss plans for flooding in Mercer County and the influx of people the area is experiencing from evacuees.

Executive Director of the Mercer County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Jamie Null, said that local hotels are filling up quickly with evacuees from the storm.

"We made phone calls this morning to all our chain hotels off exit 1 and 9," Null said. "They are very busy. Some people are stopping on their way to get to family."

Null encouraged locals to have patience during increased traffic and crowding. "I hope that we can be full of hospitality and show up for them while they are here," Null said. "It is going to get busy, eating and there is going to be more traffic."

The Tazewell County Board of Supervisors released a statement on Wednesday afternoon with projections of what the area will experience during the storm and advice to prepare residents. "Current projections indicate Eastern Tazewell County will receive up to four inches of rain and high winds up to thirty-five miles per hour beginning sometime Thursday evening. Western Tazewell County should receive one to three inches of rain and winds of up to twenty-five miles per hour during the same time period. However, the track of the storm may change, resulting in more rain and higher winds than currently expected."

The release also encouraged residents of Tazewell County to avoid travel during the event but to not hesitate to leave their homes before the storm if it is in danger of flooding. In addition, the board encouraged residents to stock food, charge batteries and have three days of medication on hand.

"This is a large and powerful storm. We hope the storm track continues to shift south away from Tazewell County," Interim County Administrator, Eric Young said. "But these predictions can change by the hour. We are going to prepare and ask our residents to prepare as though the storm is going to shift north again and track directly into Tazewell County. We urge our residents to take this advisory seriously. The rains we have had earlier this week will make the rains from the storm much more damaging than the numbers for the storm indicate."

Young noted to call 276-988-0645 for shelter information.

In addition, W.Va. Gov. Jim Justice released a statement Wednesday announcing that in addition to other agencies, 50 guardsmen and women have been put into a duty status for preparation and staging at locations across the state.

"We have mobilized multiple state agencies in preparation for the impacts on West Virginia from Hurricane Florence," Gov. Justice said. "We want to ensure that we are ready to respond to our citizens as quickly as possible when this storm hits and in its aftermath."